JP7484182B2 - Information Management System - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information management system.

Traditionally, many retail establishments, such as department stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores, have been equipped with cash deposit and dispensing machines that dispense cash (bills and coins) to be used as change reserves, or that deposit sales revenues from the store.

Every morning, the clerk executes a "change withdrawal" transaction and withdraws the change fund to prepare the change fund for the cash register for that day. The clerk then replenishes the change machine installed in the cash register (hereafter simply referred to as the "cash register") with the cash withdrawn from the cash deposit/withdrawal machine.

For example, the cash register is connected to a POS (Point Of Sale) server that holds product information such as product identification codes and product prices, and when the barcode (product identification code) of a product is scanned at the cash register, the product price is displayed on the cash register screen (see Patent Document 1).

After finishing work, the employee withdraws the cash, including the day's sales, from the change machine to the cash deposit/withdrawal machine, then executes a "sales deposit" transaction to store the cash withdrawn from the change machine in the cash deposit/withdrawal machine, and stores it in the cash deposit/withdrawal machine.

JP 2017-142688 A

However, for example, in small stores that cannot be connected to a POS server, or in places where products are exhibited and sold at event venues, the cashier must manually enter the product prices, which can lead to mistakes. There is also a demand for accurate management of the cash (bills and coins) stored in the change dispenser (for example, management of the change reserve, sales, etc.).

For this reason, there is a demand for an information management system that can process cash by reading product identification codes even in places where a POS system cannot be connected, and that can ensure strict management of stored cash.

The information management system according to the present invention is an information management system including an information providing server, an information management device, and a change machine, in which (1) the information providing server includes a database that stores product information including a product code and a product price corresponding to the product code, and a server communication unit that exchanges information with the information management device, and (2) the information management device includes a first code reader that reads the product code, a first external storage medium slot into which an external storage medium is inserted, and a communication unit that exchanges information with the information providing server, and causes the information providing server to transmit request information including the product code read by the first code reader, creates the product information including the product code and the product price corresponding to the product code based on the product price corresponding to the product code included in response information from the information providing server, and stores the product information in the first external storage medium. and a first control unit that stores the created product information in the external storage medium inserted into an external storage medium insertion port; (3) the change machine is an offline change machine comprising a second code reader that reads the product code, a second external storage medium insertion port into which the external storage medium is inserted, and a second control unit that performs cash processing using the product information corresponding to the product code read by the second code reader, wherein when the external storage medium on which the product information created by the information management device is stored is inserted into the second external storage medium insertion port and the product code is read by the second code reader, the second control unit refers to the product information stored in the external storage medium to obtain the product price corresponding to the read product code, and performs cash processing based on the obtained product price.

According to the present invention, cash can be processed by reading the product identification code, enabling stricter management of stored cash.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of an information management system according to a first embodiment; 1 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of an information management device according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram showing the internal configuration of the change machine according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of product registration transaction in the information management device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of product information according to the first embodiment; 4 is a flowchart showing a processing operation in the change machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of an information management system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is an internal configuration diagram showing the internal configuration of a change machine according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is an internal configuration diagram showing the internal configuration of a change machine according to a modified embodiment.

(A) First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an information management system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(A-1) Configuration of the First Embodiment [Overall Configuration]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an information management system according to the first embodiment.

In FIG. 1, the information management system 10 according to the first embodiment includes a change dispenser 2, an information management device 1, and a file server 3 (hereinafter, also referred to as the "product information providing server" or the "information providing server").

The information management system 10 illustrates an example in which a change machine 2 is brought into a location or store where a POS terminal or POS system cannot be connected, such as a sales area (e.g., a merchandise area) at an event venue or live concert venue, or a small convenience store, and the change machine 2 is used to process deposits and withdrawals of cash (banknotes and coins). Note that the locations where the change machine 2 is brought into are not limited to the above example. The system can be widely applied to locations where a POS system cannot function adequately.

In the first embodiment, for example, product information of a product for sale is stored in advance in an external storage device 50, and the external storage device 50 is connected to the change machine 2 at the sales location. When the change machine 2 reads a product identification code (hereinafter also referred to as a "product code"), it refers to the product information stored in the external storage device 50, reads the product sales price (hereinafter also referred to as the "product amount") corresponding to the product identification code, and performs a deposit or withdrawal process.

The information management device 1 is placed in a store such as a retail store, and can be used as a cash deposit/withdrawal machine that performs transactions such as dispensing change, depositing sales, and collecting sales.

The information management device 1, which serves as a cash deposit and dispensing machine, dispenses cash as a change reserve, i.e., banknotes and coins dispensed by denomination, to the change machine 2. The information management device 1 also deposits sales proceeds (an amount including the amount prepared as change reserve and the sales amount) from the change machine 2 to make a sales deposit. In this way, cooperation between the information management device 1 and the change machine 2 can ensure strict cash handover.

In addition, as one of the transaction processes for dispensing change and depositing sales, the information management device 1 performs a product registration transaction in which product information of products sold at the location where the change machine 2 is brought is registered in the external storage device 50. In other words, the information management device 1 performs a product registration transaction in which product information of all products sold at the event venue where the change machine 2 is brought is registered in the external storage device 50. By connecting the external storage device 50, which stores product information of products for sale, to the change machine 2 in this way, the product information can be referenced by the change machine 2, making it possible for the change machine 2 to handle cash as well.

Here, "product information" is information in which a product identification code and a product sales price are associated with each other. In order to enable cash processing even in a change dispenser 2 in which the product sales price is not registered or in which the change dispenser 2 cannot be connected to a POS system, the product information associates at least the product identification code and the product sales price. Note that the product information is not limited to the product identification code and the product sales price, and may include, for example, the product name, information on the product manufacturer, etc.

The external storage device 50 is a non-volatile storage medium that stores product information about products for sale. The external storage device 50 can be, for example, a storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or an SD card.

The change machine 2 processes the deposit and withdrawal of cash (banknotes and coins). The change machine 2 is a portable cash processing machine that can be placed in places or stores that cannot be connected to a POS system. The change machine 2 can be connected to an external storage device 50, and when a customer purchases a product, the product identification code of the product is read by the code reader 26, and the product information stored in the external storage device 50 is referenced to read the product sales price corresponding to the product identification code. When cash (banknotes, coins) received from a customer is deposited in the change machine 2, the change machine 2 calculates the difference between the deposited amount and the product sales price, and if there is a difference, change equivalent to the difference is dispensed, and if there is no difference, no change is dispensed and the cash processing ends.

The file server 3 has a database 31 that holds product information such as product identification codes and product sales prices as file information, and provides product information. The file server 3 can be, for example, a POS server.

[Information Management Device]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the information management device 1 according to the first embodiment.

In FIG. 2, the information management device 1 includes a code reader 120, a connection interface unit 170 to which an external storage device 50 can be connected, a communication unit 180 for transmitting and receiving information with the file server 3, a banknote insertion slot 101, a banknote escrow unit 103, a banknote discrimination unit 105, a 10,000-yen note cassette 107, a 5,000-yen note cassette 109, a 1,000-yen note cassette 111, a collection cassette 113, a reject unit 115, a coin insertion slot 117, a coin discrimination unit 119, a coin escrow unit 121, a coin return box 123, a withdrawal hopper 125, a coin collection box 127, a coin withdrawal box 129, a card reader unit 131, an operation display unit 133, a control unit 150, and a memory unit 160.

The information management device 1 can be applied to a cash deposit and dispensing machine installed in a retail store such as a department store, supermarket, or convenience store. The "medium" handled by the information management device 1 will be described assuming that it is mainly cash such as banknotes and coins, but is not limited to this and may include, for example, gift certificates, checks, tickets, bundles of banknotes, coin bars, etc.

The information management device 1 can execute processes such as change withdrawal, which dispenses cash (banknotes, coins) as a change reserve used in the change dispenser 2, and sales deposit, which deposits cash sold in the change dispenser 2 (cash including the change reserve). Transaction processes in the information management device 1 are not limited to change withdrawal, sales deposit, and product registration transactions.

The code reader 120 reads a product identification code (e.g., a barcode, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark), etc.) that identifies a product.

The connection interface unit 170 is an interface unit for connecting to the external storage device 50 in order to store product information in the external storage device 50 when performing a product registration transaction.

The banknote insertion port 101 is an insertion port through which banknotes are inserted to be deposited in the information management device 1. The banknote insertion port 101 also serves as a banknote withdrawal port, and from the banknote insertion port 101, banknotes that are returned due to cancellation of sales deposits, banknotes that are withdrawn, and banknotes that have been rejected by the banknote validator 105 as being abnormal are withdrawn.

The banknote temporary storage unit 103 temporarily stores banknotes when counting deposits and creating sales proceeds. The banknote validator 105 uses various sensors to validate whether inserted banknotes are valid or not.

The 10,000 note cassette 107, the 5,000 note cassette 109, and the 1,000 note cassette 111 are cash storage sections that store 10,000, 5,000, and 1,000 note bills, respectively. Specifically, the 10,000, 5,000 note cassette 109, and the 1,000 note cassette 111 (each banknote cassette) store various loose banknotes as change reserves. In addition, each banknote cassette stores various banknotes that are deposited as sales proceeds and that have been identified as normal by the banknote validator 105. Furthermore, when dispensing change, various banknotes are dispensed from each banknote cassette.

The collection cassette 113 is a cassette for collecting sales. Specifically, the collection cassette 113 stores the banknotes moved from each banknote cassette during sales collection as sales proceeds.

The reject unit 115 accumulates banknotes that have been identified by the banknote validator 105 as not being normal, i.e., rejected banknotes. Specifically, the reject unit 115 accumulates banknotes that have been rejected by the banknote validator 105 in the process of transporting banknotes from the banknote escrow unit 103 to each banknote cassette when sales are deposited, banknotes that have been rejected by the banknote validator 105 in the process of dispensing change from each banknote cassette, and banknotes that have been rejected by the banknote validator 105 in the process of transporting banknotes from each banknote cassette to the collection cassette 113 when sales are collected.

The coin slot 117 is an inlet through which coins are inserted. The coin validator 119 uses various sensors to determine whether the inserted coin is a valid coin. Furthermore, the coin temporary holder 121 temporarily accumulates coins when deposits are counted and when sales are collected.

The coin return box 123 is a box that holds the coins to be returned. For example, coins that have been counted or coins whose sales deposits have been cancelled are returned from the coin return box 123. In addition, the dispensing hopper 125 (cash storage section) stores various coins that have been inserted as sales deposits, and various coins are dispensed from the dispensing hopper 125 when change is dispensed.

The coin collection box 127 is a cassette for collecting sales. Specifically, the coin collection box 127 stores coins moved from the dispensing hopper 125 during sales collection as sales proceeds. The coin dispensing box 129 is a coin dispensing port for dispensing coins when dispensing change.

The card reader unit 131 is an example of an input unit, and reads information written on a card held by an operator such as a store manager or a person in charge. Examples of information written on a card held by an operator include user identification information (e.g., a user ID number) for identifying the operator using the card, a register identification number, and information indicating the type of operator (e.g., manager, full-time employee, part-time employee, etc.).

The operation display unit 133 includes a function as an operation unit or input unit that detects operations by the operator, and a function as a display unit that displays various screens. The function as a display unit is realized, for example, by a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display device, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) device. The function as an operation unit is realized, for example, by a touch panel. The functions of the display unit and the operation unit may be configured separately.

The control unit 150 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), which is an arithmetic processing device; a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and arithmetic parameters used by the CPU; a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores programs used in the execution of the CPU and parameters that change appropriately during the execution; and a data storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) device that stores data. The ROM stores processing programs (e.g., a repetitive transaction program, a processing program for various transactions, etc.), which are realized by the CPU executing each processing program.

The control unit 150 controls the overall operation of the information management device 1. For example, the control unit 150 includes a function as a management unit that stores the number of pieces of cash stored in each banknote cassette and the dispensing hopper 125 in the memory unit 160. The control unit 150 displays a menu screen on the operation display unit 133 that enables the operator to select a desired process, and controls the process selected by the operator on the menu.

The control unit 150 performs a product registration transaction to store product information of the product in the external storage device 50. When performing a product registration transaction, the control unit 150 reads the product identification code of the product by user operation using the code reader 120, and transmits a product information request signal including the product identification code to the file server 3. Then, when the control unit 150 receives a product information response signal including product information corresponding to the product identification code from the file server 3, the control unit 150 stores the product information in the external storage device 50. If there are multiple products for sale, the product identification codes are read and product information is obtained for each of the products for sale, and the product information for all of the products is stored in the external storage device 50.

[Change machine]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the change machine 2 according to the first embodiment.

In FIG. 3, the change machine 2 has a deposit/withdrawal control unit 200, an operation display unit 25, a code reader 26, a banknote deposit/withdrawal unit 21, a coin deposit unit 23, a coin withdrawal unit 24, and a cash box unit 27.

The banknote deposit/withdrawal unit 21 takes in and counts the banknotes that have been deposited. Under the control of the control unit 201, the banknote deposit/withdrawal unit 21 takes in the deposited banknotes that have been inserted, distinguishes between genuine and counterfeit banknotes and distinguishes between denominations, and counts the distinguished banknotes. The counted banknotes are transported to the cash box unit 27 and stored as deposits. Information on the deposited amount (i.e., the amount counted by denomination) is provided to the control unit 201. The banknote deposit/withdrawal unit 21 also counts the banknotes to be dispensed as change and releases the banknotes. When the control unit 201 gives an instruction to dispense change, the banknote deposit/withdrawal unit 21 sends out banknotes from the cash box unit 27, counts the transported banknotes, and releases banknotes equivalent to the amount instructed to be dispensed.

The coin deposit unit 23 takes in and counts the deposited coins. The coin deposit unit 23 takes in the inserted deposited coins, distinguishes between genuine and counterfeit coins and distinguishes between denominations, and counts the distinguished coins. The counted coins are transported to the cash box unit 27 and stored as the deposit. Information regarding the deposited amount (i.e., the amount counted by denomination) is provided to the control unit 201.

The coin dispensing unit 24 counts and dispenses coins to be dispensed as change. When the coin dispensing unit 24 receives a change dispensing instruction from the control unit 201, it transports coins from the cash box unit 27, counts the transported coins, and dispenses the counted coins.

The cash box unit 27 stores bills and coins. The cash box unit 27 stores cash (bills and coins) in advance as a change fund, and stores deposited bills and coins for purchasing goods. The cash box unit 27 may be attachable to the information management device 1 as a cash deposit/withdrawal machine, and a specified number of bills and coins of a specified denomination may be stored in the cash box unit 27 when an operator performs a change withdrawal transaction in the information management device 1. Furthermore, after business is completed, in order to record the sales of the change machine 2 in the information management device 1, the cash box unit 27 may be attached to the information management device 1, and the bills and coins stored in the cash box unit 27 may be inserted into the information management device 1 to perform a sales deposit transaction.

The deposit/withdrawal control unit 200 is a device or processing unit that controls the processing of the change machine 2. In FIG. 3, the deposit/withdrawal control unit 200 has a control unit 201, a memory unit 202, and a connection interface unit 203.

The control unit 201 and the memory unit 202 can be implemented in the form of hardware, for example, a device having a CPU, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, an input/output interface, etc., and various processes are realized by the CPU executing processing programs (for example, information processing programs, deposit/withdrawal processing programs, etc.) stored in the ROM.

The control unit 201 processes cash deposits and withdrawals. When a product identification code is read by the code reader 26, the control unit 201 refers to the product information in the external storage device 50, reads the product selling price corresponding to the product identification code, and derives the purchase amount of the product. Then, the control unit 201 compares the deposit amount deposited from the banknote deposit/withdrawal unit 21 and/or the coin deposit unit 23 with the purchase amount to derive the difference.

The connection interface unit 203 is an interface unit for connecting an external storage device 50 in which product information is stored.

(A-2) Operation of the First Embodiment Next, the operation of the information management process in the information management system 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the processing of a product registration transaction in the information management device 1 according to the first embodiment.

In the information management device 1, a transaction selection menu is displayed on the operation display unit 133 by a predetermined operation by the operator, and a product transaction selection button is selected from the transaction selection menu (S11). At this time, the operator connects the external storage device 50 to the connection interface unit 170 of the information management device 1.

In order to store in the external storage device 50 the product information of the products sold at the location where the change dispenser 2 is brought, the product identification code of each product is read by the code reader 120 (S12), and the product identification code of each product is provided to the control unit 150.

The control unit 150 generates product information request information including the read product identification code, and transmits the product information request information to the file server 3. At this time, when the file server 3 receives the product information request information, it searches for the product selling price (amount) corresponding to the product identification code, and transmits product information response information including the product identification code and the product selling price to the information management device 1. Then, in the information management device 1, the control unit 150 analyzes the product information response information to obtain the product identification code and the product selling price corresponding to the product identification code (S13).

The control unit 150 stores product information that associates the product identification code with the product selling price in the external storage device 50 (S14).

For example, FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of product information according to the first embodiment. The product information 51 illustrated in FIG. 5 associates a product identification code with the corresponding product selling price (amount), for example, by describing "product selling price (amount) of product 1" under "product identification code of product 1." Note that the configuration of the product information 51 stored in the external storage device 50 is not limited to the example in FIG. 5.

If steps S12 to S14 have not been completed for all products to be sold (S15: No), steps S12 to S14 are repeated for the next other product, and if steps S12 to S14 have been completed for all products (S15: Yes), the product registration transaction is terminated.

Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processing operations of the change machine 2 according to the first embodiment.

First, the operator connects the external storage device 50 in which the product information is stored to the connection interface unit 203 of the change machine 2.

After that, when a product is sold at the location where the change machine 2 is installed, the product identification code of the product to be purchased is read by the code reader 26 (S21), and the control unit 201 refers to the product information stored in the external storage device 50 to read the product sales price corresponding to the read product identification code (S22), and the product purchase amount is derived (S23). At this time, if multiple products are purchased, the product identification code of each product is read, and the total of the product sales prices is derived as the purchase amount. The purchase amount derived by the change machine 2 may also be displayed on the operation display unit 25.

Cash (banknotes, coins) is then received from the product purchaser, the banknotes are inserted into the banknote deposit/withdrawal unit 21, and the coins are inserted into the coin deposit unit 23 (S24), the inserted banknotes are counted by the banknote deposit/withdrawal unit 21, and the deposited coins are counted by the coin deposit unit 23 (S25).

The control unit 201 adds the counting result (deposit amount) of the banknote deposit/withdrawal unit 21 and the counting result (deposit amount) of the coin deposit unit 23 to derive the deposit amount, and compares the deposit amount with the purchase amount (S26). If there is a difference between the deposit amount and the purchase amount and there is change (S27: Yes), under the control of the control unit 201, cash (banknotes, coins) equivalent to the change is transported from the cash box unit 27, the banknotes and coins to be dispensed are counted (S28), and banknotes are released to the banknote deposit/withdrawal unit 21 and coins to the coin withdrawal unit 24 as change (S29). On the other hand, if there is no change (S27: No), the deposit amount matches the purchase amount, so no withdrawal is made and the process moves to S30.

The control unit 201 stores information regarding the sales of the purchased items in the external storage device 50 (S30).

"Information relating to product sales" may include all or some of the following information: the product identification code of the purchased product, the product sales price, the number of items, the purchase amount, purchase date and time information, the number of coins of a particular denomination deposited, the amount deposited, the number of coins of a particular denomination withdrawn, and the amount withdrawn. Note that information relating to product sales is not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and may include, for example, the product purchase number, the identification information of the change machine 2, the person in charge number, etc.

After the business is completed, all sales money stored in the cash box section 27 of the change machine 2 may be deposited into the information management device 1 as a cash deposit/withdrawal machine to deposit the sales money. At that time, the external storage device 50 in the change machine 2 that stores information about product sales may be connected to the information management device 1 so that the information about product sales can be read by the information management device 1.

The information management device 1 that has made the sales deposit may then perform cash management by comparing the amount of the sales deposit from the change dispenser 2 (the cash balance calculated by adding up the number and amount of each denomination) with the sales proceeds based on information related to product sales.

(A-3) Advantages of the First Embodiment As described above, according to the first embodiment, even in a location or store where it is not possible to connect to a POS terminal or POS system, a POS terminal or POS system is not required, and by connecting an external storage device in which product information is stored to a change machine, deposit and withdrawal processing and settlement can be performed using the product identification code of the product.

(B) Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the information management system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(B-1) Configuration and Operation of the Second Embodiment FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of an information management system according to the second embodiment.

In FIG. 7, the information management system 10A according to the second embodiment has a change machine 2A and a file server 3.

The first embodiment described above illustrates a case where the information management device 1 stores product information in the external storage device 50. In contrast, the second embodiment illustrates a case where the change machine 2A is enabled to communicate with the file server 3 via the communication line NT before the change machine 2A is brought to a place where products are sold, and the change machine 2A stores product information in the external storage device 50.

Figure 8 is an internal configuration diagram showing the internal configuration of the change machine 2A according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, the change machine 2A basically has the same configuration as the first embodiment, but differs in that the deposit/withdrawal control unit 200 further includes a communication unit 204.

By equipping the change machine 2A with the communication unit 204, the change machine 2A can directly obtain the product sales price for the product identification code from the file server 3 and store the product information in the external storage device 50. Furthermore, in the case of a store that handles a small number of products, the change machine 2A can be operated independently even when the information management device 1 as a cash deposit/withdrawal machine is not installed.

Furthermore, as in the first embodiment, when an information management device 1 such as a cash deposit machine is provided, the change machine 2A can store information regarding product sales in an external storage device 50 and cooperate with the information management device 1.

The product information registration process by the change dispenser 2A can be explained using FIG. 4 of the first embodiment, so it will be explained here using FIG. 4.

The change dispenser 2A can be connected to a communication line NT, and the communication unit 204 is controlled by the control unit 201 to be in a state in which it can communicate information with the file server 3.

For example, the change machine 2A may be provided with a start button for starting a product registration transaction. The start button may be a soft button displayed on the operation display unit 25, or it may be a physical button. In either case, when carrying out a product registration transaction, the product registration transaction begins when the operator selects the start button (S11).

Then, when the code reader 26 of the change machine 2A reads the product identification code of the product (S12), the control unit 201 generates product information request information including the product identification code and transmits it to the file server 3.

At this time, the file server 3, like the first embodiment, searches for the product sales price (amount) corresponding to the product identification code contained in the received product information request information, and transmits product information response information including the product identification code and the product sales price to the change machine 2A.

In the change machine 2A, the control unit 201 analyzes the product information response information to obtain the product identification code and the product selling price corresponding to the product identification code (S13), and stores the product information that associates the product identification code with the product selling price in the external storage device 50 (S14).

If steps S12 to S14 have not been completed for all products to be sold (S15: No), steps S12 to S14 are repeated for the next other product, and if steps have been completed for all products (S15: Yes), the product registration transaction is terminated.

(B-2) Advantages of the Second Embodiment As described above, the second embodiment provides the advantages of the first embodiment and also enables the change machine to perform deposit/withdrawal processing and settlement using the product identification code of the product by itself. When the change machine stores product information in an external storage device, it can communicate with the file server online, and when a product is sold, the change machine can perform settlement in an offline state.

(C) Other Embodiments Although modified embodiments of the present invention have been mentioned in the above-described embodiments, the present invention can also be applied to the following modified embodiments.

(C-1) In each of the above-described embodiments, the medium for storing the product information is, for example, an external storage device such as a USB memory. The external storage device is not limited to this, and may be, for example, an IC card or IC tag equipped with an IC chip. In other words, the product information may be stored in an IC chip, and the change dispenser may be able to read the product information from an IC chip such as an IC card.

In addition, to allow an offline change dispenser to refer to product information, the change dispenser may be equipped with a communication unit for short-range wireless communication such as NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark), and may be able to obtain product information, including product identification codes and product sales prices, from an information management device or a file server.

(C-2) In the first embodiment, the change machine and the information management device may be able to communicate via a communication line before a product is sold, and after the information management device creates the product information, the change machine may obtain and store the product information from the information management device. In other words, before a product is sold, the change machine may be connected to the information management device in an online state, and the product information created by the information management device may be notified to the change machine, and when the product is sold, the change machine may process cash deposits in an offline state.

(C-3) In the above-described embodiment, an example was given of a case where the information management device or the control unit of the change machine creates product information that associates product identification codes with product sales prices. However, an operator or the like may manually create product information and register it in an external storage device. Even in this case, by connecting an external storage device that stores product information to the change machine, cash processing can be performed using product identification codes.

(C-4) Figure 9 is an internal configuration diagram showing the internal configuration of a change machine according to a modified embodiment.

In FIG. 9, the change machine 2B basically has the same configuration as the first and second embodiments, but also has a two-dimensional code reader 41 that reads two-dimensional codes such as QR codes (registered trademark), and a contactless card reader 42 that reads information from a contactless IC chip such as a contactless IC card. It may also be configured to have either the two-dimensional code reader 41 or the contactless card reader 42.

For example, product information including the product selling price is converted into a two-dimensional code, and the two-dimensional code is printed on paper or the like. Then, when a customer purchases a product, the two-dimensional code on the paper is read by the two-dimensional code reader 41, and the information is notified to the control unit 201. This allows the control unit 201 to recognize the product selling price, and therefore derive the purchase price of the product. The control unit 201 may then compare the amount of deposited cash (banknotes, coins) with the purchase price, and perform cash processing.

This makes it possible to process cash using two-dimensional codes, for example, when a new product is added to a sales outlet and sold, and the product is not registered in the external storage device.

In the above example, the product information is converted into a two-dimensional code, but a contactless IC card storing the product information may be used. Also, two-dimensional codes such as QR codes do not need to be printed on paper, and a QR code showing the product information may be displayed on the screen of a mobile device such as a smartphone.

10...information processing system, 2, 2A and 2B...change machine 2...information management device, 3...file server, 31...database, 50...external storage device, 51...product information,
200... deposit/withdrawal control unit, 201... control unit, 202... memory unit, 203... connection interface unit, 203... communication unit, 21... banknote deposit/withdrawal unit, 23... coin deposit unit, 24... coin withdrawal unit, 25... operation display unit, 26... code reader, 27... cash box unit, 41... two-dimensional code reader, 42... non-contact card reader,
150: control unit, 160: storage unit, 170: connection interface unit, 133: operation display unit, 120: code reader.

Claims (2)

An information management system including an information providing server, an information management device, and a change dispenser,
The information providing server includes:
a database for storing product information including a product code and a product price corresponding to the product code;
a server communication unit for transmitting and receiving information between the information management device and the server communication unit;
The information management device includes:
a first code reader for reading the product code;
a first external storage medium insertion port into which an external storage medium is inserted;
A communication unit for transmitting and receiving information to and from the information providing server;
a first control unit that causes request information including the product code read by the first code reader to be transmitted to the information providing server, creates the product information including the product code and the product price corresponding to the product code based on a product price corresponding to the product code included in response information from the information providing server, and stores the created product information in the external storage medium inserted in the first external storage medium slot;
The change dispenser includes:
An offline change dispenser,
a second code reader for reading the product code;
a second external storage medium insertion port into which the external storage medium is inserted;
a second control unit that performs cash processing using the product information corresponding to the product code read by the second code reader,
The information management system is characterized in that, when the external storage medium storing the product information created by the information management device is inserted into the second external storage medium slot and the product code is read by the second code reader, the second control unit refers to the product information stored in the external storage medium, obtains the product price corresponding to the read product code, and performs cash processing based on the obtained product price. The information management system described in claim 1, characterized in that the first control unit performs sales processing in the change machine based on information regarding product sales stored in the external storage medium in the change machine used in an offline state.

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